Category: Blogs

Turkey says now clear its warplane shot down by Syria

By Today's Zaman

From Today’s Zaman:  Turkey has said it is now clear that Turkish fighter jet was shot down by Syrian security forces some 8 miles (13 kilometers) away from the Syrian town of Latakia over the Mediterranean Sea.

Morsy’s Choice: Abdeen or Tora?

By Michele Dunne

The extremely confusing political picture in Egypt clarified a bit in the last 48 hours, as indications surfaced that there is an intense negotiation going on—whether directly or indirectly—between the SCAF and the Brotherhood over whether Mohammed Morsy will be able to claim his electoral victory.  The question seems to be whether Morsy will accept […]

Syria’s role in loss of Turkish warplane could have major repercussions for NATO

By Adrian Blomfield, the Telegraph

From Adrian Blomfield, the Telegraph:  While the exact circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s disappearance remained far from clear, any indication that it was brought down by Syrian fire could have major international repercussions. As a member of Nato since 1952, Turkey could call on the alliance to support and perhaps even participate in any response it […]

Plane Incident Increases Turkey-Syria Tensions

By Ross Wilson

The loss of a Turkish jet fighter off the coast of Syria signals a further escalation of tensions between Damascus and Ankara, raising the stakes for Turkish leaders who have heretofore limited themselves to diplomatic efforts and mostly quiet support for Syrian refugees and opposition leaders.  It is unclear what brought down a Turkish F-4 […]

Why should Germany take on everyone’s debts?

By Josef Joffe, the Guardian

From Josef Joffe, the Guardian:  The whole world is in the deepest economic mess since the Depression.

NATO International Military Staff and EU Military Staff meet for informal talks

By NATO

German helicopters participate in exercise in New Mexico

By Tony Osbourne, Rotorhub

From Tony Osbourne, Rotorhub:  The German Army has begun field tests of NH90 and Tiger helicopters in New Mexico in readiness for a possible deployment to Afghanistan later this year.

Report: Command center in Istanbul organizing weapon supply to Syrian opposition

By Martin Chulov, Ewen MacAskill, and John Densky, the Guardian

From Martin Chulov, Ewen MacAskill, and John Densky, the Guardian:  Saudi officials are preparing to pay the salaries of the Free Syria Army as a means of encouraging mass defections from the military and increasing pressure on the Assad regime, the Guardian has learned.

How Government Thinks – and How it Should

By Josh Kerbel

It is common knowledge that increasing societal complexity (i.e., interdependence and interconnectedness) is challenging the fundamental business models of an ever-growing range of industries. Thus, the entertainment, technology, manufacturing, information—the list could go on and on—industries are all under pressure to change the ways they think.

Beyond Election Results, Legal Landmines Loom Large

By Nancy Messieh

With the Supreme Constitutional Court’s decision to dissolve the newly elected parliament and uphold Ahmed Shafik’s disputed candidacy, accusations have been levied against Egypt’s judicial system, questioning its impartiality.    Countless court cases in the past 16 months have yielded disappointing results: Egypt’s courts have witnessed the acquittal of both police officers and high level […]